Cloth laying-up machine



June 1948. H. w. GILBERT ET AL CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE Filed Nov. 50, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. HEKMAN' WHLTER 6/455, M

June 1, 1948. H. w. GILBERT ETAL 2,442,352

CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE Filed Nov. 30, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 x ll gill/11111111114111 I INVENTOR6 HERMfl/v Mum? lwmzw June 1948- H. w. GILBERT ET AL ,4

CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE Filed Nov. 30, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N VEN TORS I Hmmn Mum lwexr M 2 [g 5 BY m Dawn/"(w Patented June 1, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTH LAYING-UP MACHINE Herman Walter Gilbert, Forest Hills, and Walter Deichmann, Elmont, N. Y.; said Deichmann assignor to said Gilbert Application November 30, 1943, Serial No. 512,314 r Claims. (01. 270-31) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a cloth laying-up machine.

More specifically, the invention proposes several improved features. One of these features resides in the provision of a removable turntable for a cloth laying-up machine having'a, carriage for moving back and forth on a table and means for continuously laying-up cloth in layers. With the new arrangement it is possible to use the machine in two ways. The first consists in the natural continuous laying-up of the goods. The second consists of utilizing the turntable for lawing-up the goods in sections with one of the faces always at the top.

Another improved feature of the cloth layingup machine resides in the provision of. certain linkage for .transmitting 180 turning of the channel shaped member which assists in forming the end folds in the fabric. The links comprise an improvement over the sprocket chain system used in pending application Serial No. 370,784 for a sheet material spreading machine by Gilbert et al. An important feature in the new link construction is that double links are used arranged in parallelogram systems so as to prevent said links from transmitting motion in the wrong direction when certain dead centers are being passed.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a cloth laying-up machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of the turntable and support therefor shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of the reciprocal carriage illustrated in Fig. 1 showing particularly the linkage system.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating the links in a different position.

Fig. 6 is another elevational view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the links in still another position.

Fig. 7 is a. fragmentary sectional view .taken on the line '|'!11-'| of Fig- 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7 to which a schematic showing of the cloth in layers has been added.

The cloth laying-up machine, in accordance with this invention, includes the usual carriage lit for moving back and forth on a, table II and means for continuously laying-up layers l2 (see Fig. 8). The usual catching means l3 for catching and holding the end folds of the layers is mounted on the table II and functions in the usual fashion. The carriage I0 is provided with the usual platform I4 which supports the cloth material l5 which is to be continuously laid up by the cloth laying-up machine. Further of the old details of the machine will not be given in this specification as they form no part of the invention and machines of this type are generally known in the trade, and there are suitable public records describing the same. In this respect attention is called to U. S. Patent No. 2,263,555 for a Combination cloth feeding and laying-up machine, granted on November 25, 1941, to Gilbert et a1. Attention is also called to U. S. patent pending Serial N0.'370,784 for a Sheet material spreading machine, by Gilbert et al.

The invention contemplates the provision of a turntable support frame l6 removably mounted across the platform 14 of said carriage I 0. A turntable I1 is mounted on the support frame I6. The support frame [6 includes a pair of vertical sidechannels l8 which are attached to the sides of the carriage ID by the fastening elements l9. A pair of transversely extending channels 20 are mounted across the top ends of the vertical channels [8. A plate 2| is mounted upon the channels 20. The turntable I! is in the nature of a box-like structure 22 provided with a plurality of casters 23 resting on the plate 2|. A pintle 24 pivotally connects the turntable l! with the plate 2|. A pair of vertical arms 25 project upwards from the box-like structure 22 and support a shaft 26 adapted to receive a roll of goods, indicated by the dot and dash lines 21.

Angle members 28 are mounted upon the front and back sides of the box-like structure 22 and have their bottom arms disposed immediately above one of the channels 20. Pins 29 are adapt ed to pass through aligned openings in the angle members 28 and the channel 20 for holding the turntable from swiveling, when this is desired. These pins are connected with chains 30 attached to the carriage In to prevent the pins from becoming lost when they are removed from the angle members 28. V

A feature of the improved cloth laying-up machine resides in the fact that the turntable support frame l6 together with the turntable I! may be removed from the carriage In by removing the fastening elements l9 when it is desired to continuously lay-up cloth material. However, if it is desired to lay-up cloth material in sections so that one of the faces is always at the top, it is a simple matter to mount the turntable support frame 15 in position on the carriage l and use the turntable I I in the usual way. When this is done the goods is not threaded through the automatic end folding means of the cloth lay: ing-up machine. I

Another improved feature or the cloth layingup machine resides in certain linkage which controls the fold forming channel shaped member 3 I; This member 3| is vertically slidabl-y mounted on the frame l0 and has its arms 32 and 33 normally disposed horizontally and directed in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the carriage l-B. The fold forming channel shaped member 3-1 also is provided with the fabric guiding slot 34 in its ba'ckfor the fabric to pass through and over the bottom arm of the channel shapedihember 3 l A stub shaft 35 is mounted upon the end of the channel shaped member 31 by which it may be turned. This stub shaft 35 passes through a block 36 vertically slidably mounted in a vertical opening 3'-1- formed in the frame [0. The block 36; is furthermore guided by several vertical tracks 38 mounted upon theframe In to the sides of the vertical opening 31, The channel shaped member 3| is associated with turning means for turning it 180 at the end portion of the travel of said reciprocal carriage HI to assist in forming the end folds of the fabric. Said turning means includes a drive shaft 40 rotatively mounted through said-irame 1 ll.

A radial arm H is fixedlymountedon the drive shaft 4'0 and is associated wifth cam means for turning the radial arm IB O -atthe end portions of the travelofsaid reci-procal carriagel-ll. This cam means includes a slide '43-horizontally-slide ably mounted on the carriage fll andformed with a cam-opening fl engaged lay-a pin 15 projecting from the end or the radial arm A l. The slide-43 -has-end portions I'Band 41- profiecting respectively, from the trot-rt and 'backends-of the carriage l3 and adapted to str ike against stops 48 and 48' at the ends of the table l' lfor; shifting the slide 23 to throw the radial arm 4!, as stated. It should be 'notedithat'the cam open ing. 44 has horizontal endportions and an upwardly directed central portion designedso that the .pin 455 will be raised and thrown in zone directionor the other, dependingupon the direction in which the slide 43 is moved. 7

A pair of guide links Sfl and- 5w are pivotally connected together at their adjacent ends by a pintle 52-. ihese guide links-5U and 5l: have their outer ends :frelymounted on said stub shaft :35 and said drive shaft respectively. 'These links 50 --and 5| are-of; snfiioient leng th for said channel shaped member 8 to reach desirable vertical positions on the 'frame- M. A drive bell crank member E3 is fixedly mounted upon. said drive shaft Ml. An. idler bell crank member .54 .is pivota'lly mounted coaxiallyuof the adjacent pivoted ends of; said pair oiig-u'ide links 50' and 5-! more specifically, upon the pin 52-. A :driven bell crank member 55 fixedly mountedi-on'ssaid stub shaft35.

A parallelogram of drive links ia'fi arecpivotally mounted on r and "between said drive -belll :crank member 53 and said idler bell crank member 54 for turning said idler bell crank member when said radial arm 4| is turned 180. The par-' allelogram of drive links 56 include the parallel links 56 which are substantially of U-shape in form because they have their end portion at right angles. These links have their ends pivotally connected by pin-ties 581with the drive bell crank member 53, and by pintles 59 with crank member '54. The pins 58 are on a line which is parallel to a similar line between the pins 59. These theoretical lines, together with the links 56' form the parallelogram of drive links. The construction is such that the links 56 will transmit motion vfrom the, drive bell crank member 53 to the idler bell crank member 54 in the same direction without any danger of turning in opposite directions as they pass their dead center. The reason for this is that when one of the links 56' is passing a dead center the other link 56' has not as yet reached the dead centen The drive will therefore always be in the same direction. Thus when the drive bell crank member 53 is turning clockwise the idler bellcrank member 54 will he correspondingly turned, and when the drive bellzcrank member '53 is turning anti-clockwise'the idlerbell crank member 54 Will be similarly turned.

A parallelogram of driven links 60 are pivotally mounted on and between said idler bell crank member 54 and said driven bell crank member 5'5 for turning said stub shaft 35, 180 when said idler bell crank member 54 turns 180. The parallelogram of driven links '60. include a pair of substantially U-shapedlinks 60. These links 60 have. one of their ends pivotally connected by the pintles 61- with the idler bell crank member 54. and the other of theirends by the pintles 62 with the driven bellcrank member 55. The pins fiiare on a line which is parallel to a line between the pins 62. This, together with the parallel relationship of the links fifl', form the parallelogram of .dri ven links. The purpose of theipairhi links '50 is to prevent any :back turning at a dead center. 'With the construction shown, when. one 130, is passing a dead :center the other. one has not as yetreache'd'the dead center, and for this reason rotation will always be inithe same direction. liikith this-construction when the idler bell crank member?! turns clockp wise, the driven bell acran'k member 55 will be correspondingly turned, and. when the idler :bell crank member 54 turns .anti-clockvdse, the driven bell crank member: :55 willibe. correspondingly turned.

The operation of the linkage ieature. may 'be best understoodoby examining Fig-s. 4&8, inclusive. It, should be :noliedfthat in Fig. 4*the -radial arm 4| is directed towards the left, while the :arms v82 and33 of; the fold, forming achannelmember 3L ls directed'towards the right; The, field "forming channel shaped member 31 is ireejrto smotvevlertically upwards and downwards. because. the guide links 50 and 5| areiree togpivotrrelative toeach other during: thismotionand the. parallelogram of .linksi'fifi: 1E0 are free to correspondingly move. Whemthe-camuneans 42 throwstheradial arm :41 so thatirit'lisxdirected;rtowards'zthe rig-ht, as-illustrate Rig- 5, the iparalle'lognam of 56 and 60 will transmit this 180 movement to the fold forming .channelshapedzmemher: .3 l which, after movingfwi-ll have its arms 32 directed towards the left. This motion of the fold forming channel .member 3il; ;B-SSlStS.;i!1 rorming. the end folds in the layers.-Z|2;jwvhlch--may be understood l angers froinan examination of Fig. 8. Fig. 6 illustrates the fold forming channel shaped member 3| in an elevated position.

i While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reservedto all changes and modifications coming Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim' as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a cloth laying-up machine, a reciprocal carriage having a frame, a fold forming channel shaped member vertically slidably mounted on said frame and having its arms disposed horizontally and normally directed in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of said carriage and having a fabric guiding slit in its back for the fabric to pass through and over the bottom arm of said channel shaped member, a stub shaft mounted on the end of said channel shaped member by which it may be turned, and means for turning said channel shaped member 180 at the end portions of the travel of said reciprocal carriage to assist in forming end folds in said fabric, said means including a drive shaft rotatively mounted on said frame, a radial arm on said drive shaft, cam means for turning said radial arm 180 at the end portions of the travel of said reciprocal carriage, a pair of guide links pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and having their outer ends freely mounted on said stub shaft and said drive shaft respectively and of sufficient length for said channel shaped member to reach desirable vertical positions on said frame, a drive bell crank member fixedly mounted on said drive shaft, an idler bell crank member pivotally mounted coaxially of the adjacent pivoted ends of said pair of guide links, a driven bell crank member fixedly mounted on said stub shaft, a parallelogram of drive links pivotally mounted on and between said drive bell crank member and said idler bell crank member for turning said idler bell crank member 180 when said radial arm turns 180, and a parallelogram of driven links pivotally mounted on and between said idler bell crank member and said driven bell crank member for turning said stub shaft 180 when said idler bell crank member turns 180.

2. In a cloth laying-up machine, a reciprocal carriage having a frame, a fold forming channel shaped member vertically slidably mounted on said frame and having its arms disposed horizontally and normally directed in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of said carriage and having a fabric guiding slit in its back for the fabric to pass through and over the bottom arm of said channel shaped member, a stub shaft mounted on the end of said channel shaped member by which it may be turned, and means for turning said channel shaped member 180 at the end portions of the travel of said reciprocal carriage to assist in forming end folds in said fabric, said means including a drive shaft rotatively mounted on said frame, a radial arm on said drive shaft, cam means for turning said radial arm 180 at the end portions of the travel of said reciprocal carriage, a pair of guide links pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and having their outer ends freely mounted on said stub shaft and said drive shaft respectively and of sufficient length for said channel shaped member to reach desirable vertical positions on said frame, a drive bell crank member fixedly mounted on saiddrive shaft, an idler bell crank member pivotally mounted coaxially of the adjacent'pivoted ends of said pair of guide links, a driven-belL crank member fixedlymounted on said stub-shaft, a parallelogram of drive links pivotally mounted on and between said drive bell crank member and said idler bell crank member for turning said idler bell crank member when said radial arm turns 180,-and a parallelogram of driven links pivotally mounted on and between said idler bell crank member and saiddriven bell crank-member for turning said stub shaft 180 when said idler bell crank member turns 180; saidfpafallel ogram of drive links-and said parallelogramof driven links each including a pair of ll shaped links 3. In a cloth laying-up machine, a reciprocal carriage having a frame, a fold forming} channel shaped member vertically slidably mounted on said frame and having its arms -disposed' horizontally and normally directed in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of said'carriage and having a fabric guiding slit in its back for the fabricto pass through and over the bottom arm of said channel shaped member, a-stubi'shaft mounted on the end of said channel'shap'ed me'mber by which it may be turned, and-means for turning said channel shaped member-180 at the end portions of the travel of said reei'procalc'arriage to assist in forming end folds in said-fabric, said means including a drive shaft rotatively mounted on said frame, a radial arm' onsaid drive shaft, car'nmeans for turning said-radial arm 180 at the end portions of the travel of said reciprocal carriage; a pair of-"guidelinks pivotally connected at their adjacent ends and having their outer ends freely mounted on said stub shaft and said drive shaft respectively and of sufficient length for said channel shaped member'to reach desirable vertical positions on said frame, a drive bell crank member fixedly mounted on said drive shaft, an idler bell crank member pivotally mounted coaxially of the adjacent pivoted ends of said pair of guide links, a driven bell crank member fixedly mounted on said stub shaft, a parallelogram of drive links pivotally mounted on and between said drive bell crank member and said idler bell crank member for turning said idler bell crank member 180 when said radial arm turns 180, and a parallelogram of driven links pivotally mounted on and between said idler bell crank member and said driven bell crank member for turning said stub shaft 180 when said idler bell crank member turns 180, said parallelogram of drive links and said parallelogram of driven links each including a pair of U-shaped links, the ends of said U- shaped links being pivotally connected with said crank members at points which assist in forming said parallelogram of links.

4. In a cloth laying-up machine, a reciprocal carriage having a frame, a fold forming channel shaped member vertically slidably mounted on said frame and having its arms disposed horizontally and normally directed in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of said carriage and having a fabric guiding slit in its back for the fabric to pass through and over the bottom arm of said channel shaped member, a stub shaft mounted on the end of said channel shaped member by which it may be turned, and means for turning said channel shaped member 180 at the end portions of the travel of said reciprocal carriage to assist in forming end folds in said fabri aid means includinga. drive shaft rotatively: mounted on said frame, a radial arm on said; drive shaft, cam means for turning said radial arm 1809' at the end portions of the travel ofsaidreciprocal carriage, apair of guide links pivotally connected at their adjacentends and having, their outer ends freely mounted-on said stub shaft and; said drive shaft respectively and of sufilcient length for said channel shaped member; to reach desirable vertical positions on said frame; a drive bell crank member fixedly mountedon said drive shaft, an idler bell crank member pivotally mounted coaxially of the adjacent pivoted ends of said pair of guide links, a driven bellcrank member fixedly mounted on said stub shaft, a parallelogram ofdrive links pivotally mounted on and between said drive bell crank member and said idler bell crank member for turning saidlidler bell crank member 180? when said-radial arm turns 1 80", and a parallelogram of, driven links pivotally mounted on and between said idler bell crank member and said driven bell crank member for turning said stub shaft189 when said idler bell crank member turns 180, said parallelogram of drive links and said parallelogram of driven links each including 3 P8111301 U-shaped links, the ends of 'said'U- shaped linksrbeing -pivotally connected with said crank members at points which assist in formme said parallelogram of links, and said points being, spaced from each other so that when one at the, links of any pair of said links is passing a dead center, the other of the links of said pair has notes yet, reached the dead center. v

5. In a cloth, laying-up machine, a reciprocal carriage having a frame, a fold forming member vertically slidably mounted on said frame, a stub shaft. mounted on said fold forming memher by which it may be turned, means for turning said fold forming member 180 degrees at the end portions of the travel of said reciprocal carriage to assist in forming end folds in said fabric said. mean including a dnveshaft massively mounted on said frame, a radial arm on said drive shaft, means for turning said 'i'adifal, 18(ldegresf attne end portiens of the ti'd'lielof said, reciprocal carria e, a pair of gu de links pivotallyi onhctedat their adjacent ends and having their outer endsneelymounted on said stub heft and said drive shaft respectively and of suilicient'length for said'fold forming mem her to reach desirable vertica positions on said frame, a drive member nxedlymounted on said drive shaft, an idler member ivotany mounted coaxially of the adjacent iiivoted ends of, said pair of guide links, a driven member fixedly mounted on said stub shaft, a. parallelogramor' drive links pivotally mounted on and between said drive member and said idler member for turning said idler member degrees when said radial arm turns 180 degrees, and a paralielo gram of driven links pivotelly mounted on and between said idler member and saidfdriven mein' ber for turning said stub shaft 180' degrees when said idler member turns 180 degrees;

WALTER GILBERT. WALTER DE'ICHMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number A Name Date 47 2,l73 Howe Apr. 511892 81 91 43 Ism at all m 1 9. 6

1,078,393 Morita Nov. 11. 1913 1,153,336 Power -1 Sept, 14,1915 1,316,613; Cutter .se t. 23, 1919 1,356,988 gutter July 5. 19.32 1,999,276 Bloch r A151. 3, 1935 

